
Trek to Machu Picchu and Go to the Amazon
- Peru
- 10 nights
Hike the Salkantay Route to the famed Incan citadel before heading deep into the rainforest on this Andes to Amazon adventure
What's Included?
- Activities & Certified GuidesAll itinerary activities with local, certified, English-speaking guides
- All Accommodation4 nights in hotels, 3 nights camping on the trail and 3 nights in a jungle lodge
- MealsAll breakfasts, 8 lunches and 8 dinners
- Internal Flights & TransfersInternal flight from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado; ground transfers to and from the airports and everything in between
- Equipment, Porterage & PermitsEverything you need for camping, plus porters and horses to carry your luggage on the trek; all your tickets and entry fees
- Maximum group size: 14Join small n’ sociable groups of like-minded, active and outdoorsy people – designed to be solo-friendly
From…excluding flights
Highlights
Trek through rainforest, over high mountain passes and past epic Andean glaciers on this scenic alternative to the Inca Trail
Explore the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, basking in the knowledge that you've made it there on your own two feet
Kick back at a serene lodge in the Peruvian Amazon, spotting wildlife as you hike and canoe along wild waterways
Not up for the Amazon? Stick to the Sacred Valley on our 7-night Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu (opens in new tab) or get to Machu Picchu via Choquequirao (opens in new tab)
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Cusco and meet your crew
HotelTwin shareDinner includedShow Day 1 detailHide detail
Touchdown in Cusco Airport where you'll be collected by your host and transferred to your hotel, perfectly located off one of the town's main squares. If you’ve got the time, head out to wander the streets for your first real taste of Peruvian culture. Join your guide for dinner at a nearby restaurant later in the evening – a chance to sample the local cuisine and music, as well as get to know your fellow adventurers. After dinner, head back to the hotel and get a good night's sleep.
Day 2
Explore the Sacred Valley
Driving4hrsHotelTwin shareBreakfast and lunch includedShow Day 2 detailHide detail
Today you'll explore the fascinating Sacred Valley, which functioned as an agricultural, spiritual and political hub for the Inca Empire. The two main sites are Pisac and Ollantaytambo, and you'll visit both to learn about their history as you wander their ancient ruins and cobbled streets. On returning to your hotel in Cusco, you’ll get a quick pre-trek briefing from your guide, after which the evening is yours – relax, grab some dinner and probably have an early night, ready for the trekking to begin tomorrow.
Day 3
Take the trail to Humantay Lake
Hiking4-5hrs · 10km · 420m up · 400m downWild campingTwin shareAll meals includedShow Day 3 detailHide detail
Settle in for a scenic drive from your hotel to Mollepata, where you’ll enjoy breakfast in a local house. After brekkie, you’ll make your way to the the starting point for the Salkantay route in the Cordillera de Vilcabamba at Challacancha (3780m), getting your first glimpse of the Salkantay and Humantay mountains on the way. After loading up the horses, you'll set off towards Soraypampa (3900m), where you'll spend your first night of camping. From here you’ll trek up to the bright turquoise waters of Humantay Lake, sitting below the Humantay Glacier at a high altitude of 4200m, before descending back down to the camp at Soraypampa.
Day 4
Soraypampa to Huayracmachay
Hiking6-8hrs · 12km · 830m up · 710m downWild campingTwin shareAll meals includedShow Day 4 detailHide detail
Fuel up on breakfast: today’s a toughie. Begin along the uphill trail to the highest point of Your trek, the Salkantay Pass at 4630m. Once you reach the top, you'll learn the significance of the mountain to Inca culture, and make an offering to Apu Salkantay. Pass turquoise lakes as you descend to Huayracmachay (3920m), looking out for the lofty peaks of Pumasillo and Humantay mountains in the distance.
Please note that depending on the group’s pace, acclimatisation, and weather conditions, your guide may recommend extending the hike and descending further to Collpapampa (2950m). This adds an additional 9km and 3-4 hours to the day's trek. While this option makes for a much longer and more challenging hike, it does ensure a shorter and more relaxed day tomorrow, plus a better night's sleep due to the lower altitude.
Day 5
Huayracmachay to Lucmabamba
Hiking9-10hrs · 21km · 50m up · 1870m downWild campingTwin shareAll meals includedShow Day 5 detailHide detail
Today you'll continue descending, trekking past lush vegetation and waterfalls as you hike through the rainforest along the Santa Teresa River. Stop at Colpapampa for a lunch break before continuing on to Lucmabamba. After arriving here, you'll can visit a nearby coffee plantation and roam the nearby tomato and avocado fields, sourcing ingredients for your chef to use in tonight’s dinner. Time permitting, you may decide to travel to the nearby hot springs of Santa Teresa – a great way to soothe your tired muscles after the last couple challenging days.
Please note that if your guide decided to extend yesterday's hike to Colpapampa, today's hiking distance and duration will be approximately half of that stated above.
Day 6
Trek to Aguas Calientes via Llactapata
Hiking6-7hrs · 13km · 870m up · 880m downTrain Ride30minsHotelTwin shareAll meals includedShow Day 6 detailHide detail
This morning's trek begins after breakfast, as you make your way through the rainforest to the Inca site of Llactapata (2700m). Take time to explore, and catch your first glimpse of Machu Picchu in the distance. From Llactapata, you’ll descend for lunch before boarding a train to Aguas Calientes. Once you arrive you can check in to your hotel – you may even have time for a nap – before making your way to dinner at a local restaurant, with your crew.
Day 7
Explore incredible Machu Picchu
Hiking4hrs · 3.5km · 296m up · 296m downTrain Ride2hrsDriving1.5hrsHotelTwin shareBreakfast includedShow Day 7 detailHide detail
Today's the day – Machu Picchu itself. One of the world’s most incredible archaeological sites, it has a breathtaking location to match. You'll catch the bus there for a guided tour which shares the hidden secrets of this ancient site. You’ll return by bus to Aguas Calientes after a long day, continuing your journey back to Cusco via the expedition train to Ollantaytambo, plus another bus. You’ll be back at your hotel with a drink in hand by 21:00, no doubt ready to drop.
Day 8
Venture into the Amazon
Wildlife Watching2 hourFlight1 hourLodgeTwin shareBreakfast and lunch includedShow Day 8 detailHide detail
This morning, fly to Puerto Maldonado and head straight to the pier to kick off your Amazon adventure with a boat ride along the Tambopata section of the Río Madre de Dios. Travelling in a motorised wooden boat, this is your first chance to spot toucans, howler monkeys or capybaras as you make your way to a secluded rainforest lodge. After a warm welcome, meet your jungle guide and settle into your cabana. If there’s time, stretch your legs on a short introductory walk with a local nature expert before regrouping for dinner. Later, venture out on a night walk to experience the jungle after dark – keep your eyes peeled for owls, nightjars, caiman and the glint of eyes along the riverbanks. You’ll be back in time to enjoy an Amazonian cocktail and settle into your first night in the jungle.
Day 9
Walk forest trails and canoe the jungle wetlands
Hiking3 hoursCanoeing1 hoursBoat Ride2 hourLodgeTwin shareAll meals includedShow Day 9 detailHide detail
Grab an early breakfast before hopping back into the motorised wooden boat for a short ride deeper into the rainforest. Head out on foot with your wildlife guide to explore the jungle, eventually reaching the beautiful interconnected lake system of Condenado. Here, you’ll hop into dugout canoes with an expert local guide to explore the tranquil waters. Choose to sit back and take this time to absorb your surroundings, or for those feeling adventurous, take the paddle yourself and learn the rhythm of navigating the jungle wetlands. The area is rich in birds and aquatic life, and is also home to a family of giant otters that live on the lake. In the afternoon, return to the lodge, where you can take time to explore the surrounding trails, keep your eyes peeled for the abundant birdlife, or cool off with a dip in the stream beside the lodge. After dark, head out by motorised canoe along the Tambopata River in search of caiman and other nocturnal wildlife.
Day 10
Explore Lake Sachavacayoc
Hiking3 hrsCanoeing1 hrBoat Ride1hrLodgeTwin shareAll meals includedShow Day 10 detailHide detail
Start your day with a hearty breakfast before boarding a boat for a scenic 30-minute ride upriver to Lake Sachavacayoc. This pristine area is a prime habitat for black caiman and giant river otters. With your expert nature guide, set off on foot to explore the Amazon Rainforest’s incredible biodiversity. Trek among towering Capirona and Palo Santo trees, bamboo groves, and a variety of palms. Keep your eyes on the canopy for capuchin and squirrel monkeys swinging through the trees or vibrant birdlife, including parrots and toucans. Return to the canoes and take a paddle across the serene waters of the Lake. The surrounding forest buzzes with activity, offering excellent birdwatching opportunities. Head back to the lodge in the late afternoon for dinner and a relaxing evening surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest.
Day 11
Goodbye Amazon
Boat Ride1 hourBreakfast includedShow Day 11 detailHide detail
In the early morning, return to Puerto Maldonado by motorised canoe – catching memorable views of the sunrise over the river with a last chance to spot active wildlife. Howler monkeys are frequently heard as they stake out their territories. Your adventure comes to an end at the airport in Puerto Maldonado. From here you can either fly to your next destination in Peru, or to Lima to catch an international connection.
Tales from the Trails
Real people, real adventures.
Practical Stuff
Getting There
- Fly into
- Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ)
- Fly out of
- Padre Aldamiz International Airport (PEM)
- Pick up
- Cusco Airport (CUZ)
Arrive by 16:00 on Day 1 - Drop off
- Puerto Maldonado Airport (PEM)
Lunchtime on Day 11
This Trip is Graded Level 5
What is and isn't Included?
What's included
- Visits to Pisac and Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley
- 4 days of guided hiking along the Salkantay Route
- Guided visit to Machu Picchu
- Evening jungle hike in the Amazon
- Canoeing sessions in the Amazon wetlands
- Hiking and canoeing at Lake Sachavacayoc
- Expert, English-speaking local guides
- 4 nights in a boutique hotels
- 3 nights camping on the trail
- 3 nights in a peaceful jungle lodge
- All breakfasts
- 8 hearty lunches
- 8 fresh, tasty dinners
- Internal flight from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado (limit of 20kg checked luggage plus 8kg carry on)
- Arrival transfer from Cusco Airport at any time on Day 1
- Group departure transfer to Puerto Maldonado Airport on Day 11
- All transfers during the trip
- Porters and horses to carry your luggage on the trek
- All your camping equipment will be provided and set up for you
- Machu Picchu entry fees
What's not included
Our trips do not include flights, trains or other travel to the start point and back from the end point.
Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation to tip for good service. Your guide will help with advice however we suggest the below as a guideline:
- Each Porter/horseman 70-100 soles per group
- Chef 150-200 soles in total from the group
- We recommend that your guides are tipped personally, and would suggest between 60-100 soles per person.
Of course, you are free to tip more or less and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality – a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures, and you'll need to provide your policy details before departure. Your insurance should offer adequate cover for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment, and the specific activities involved in your adventure. We also recommend ensuring your policy includes cancellation and curtailment cover, in case you're unable to join your trip due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness.
Standard travel insurance may not cover all the activities included in your adventure, so it's essential to check the details carefully. There are adventure-specific providers that many travellers have used in the past, such as True Traveller (opens in new tab) (for those based in the UK or Europe), or Rise + Shield (opens in new tab), both of which offer cover for a wide range of adventurous activities.
Please make sure your chosen policy meets your individual needs and covers all aspects of your trip.
Visa requirements often change, and you are responsible for obtaining any required visas for this trip. Please check with your nearest embassy or consulate for up-to-date advice.
You know your own spending habits best, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals and drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry.
We recommend bringing a minimum of $150 USD with you on the trek in case you need to leave at any point — whether due to illness or personal reasons — as a vehicle and any additional hotel nights will need to be arranged. Evacuation costs typically range from $100–$250, and if medically necessary, these can usually be claimed back through your travel insurance. Extra hotel nights can be arranged by your host, but payment will be made directly to the hotel. If you'd like to rejoin the group for their visit to Machu Picchu, please note that an additional vehicle may also need to be arranged.
Where You'll Stay
Looking for a private room? See Optional Extras for details and pricing.
What You'll Eat
Whilst trekking, an experienced chef will be on-hand to make amazing meals in the middle of the mountains. Expect plenty of hot food and drinks for every meal. Snacks such as chocolate or granola bars, cookies, dried or fresh fruit will be provided i…
Optional Extras
Equipment / Kit Hire
- Sleeping Bag Hire
- …
- Trekking Pole Hire
- …
Pre/Post Trip Accommodation
- Pre/post accommodation in Cusco (Twin/Double/Single)
- …/per night
- Pre/post accommodation in Lima (Single)
- …/per night
- Pre/post accommodation in Lima (Twin/Double)
- …/per night
Upgrades
- Optional Private Room & Tent Upgrade from (Salkantay + Amazon)
- …/per person
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room and tent can be booked for an extra charge, see Optional Extras for the price. Please request this at the time of booking (this is subject to availability).
To request any extras, message your host via your Much Better Adventures account once you have booked your trip.
All extras must be paid before your trip starts.
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- 4.0
- Guides & crew
- 5.0
- Accommodation
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- Itinerary
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Before You Travel
What to Pack

Know before you go! Some stuff we'll provide, other things you'll need to bring.
FAQs
What do I do about drinking water?
Clean drinking water will be provided for you each morning and at meals. In an effort to eliminate plastic waste you must bring your own water bottle or hydration bladder with you. If you are concerned about the water quality, please feel free to bring additional water purification tablets.
Can I leave excess luggage somewhere?
You can leave any extra luggage at the start hotel in Cusco and collect it after the trek. If you're not returning to Cusco, you'll need to take it with you to the Amazon and Puerto Maldonado, where the trip ends.
We recommend bringing a 70–80l duffel bag, with a maximum weight of 20kg. This is due to luggage restrictions on the domestic flight and limited space in Amazon transfers. Large suitcases may need to be repacked into a smaller bag, with the rest stored securely at the office in Puerto Maldonado for four days.
Do I need to organise a Salkantay trail permit?
No, you don’t need a permit for the trek itself, but a permit is required to visit Machu Picchu—this is included in the trip price. Your host in Peru usually secures early entry permits (around 06:00 or 07:00) to help you avoid the crowds, with each permit pre-purchased in your name. For late bookings, permits may only be available for a later time slot, meaning you could enter separately from the group. To increase your chances of securing a permit with the group, we strongly recommend booking early and providing your host with your full name, passport number, nationality, and date of birth as soon as possible and preferably at the time of booking.
What happens if my passport details change?
Your local host will handle the booking of your Machu Picchu permits which are booked using your passport details, so please provide your full name, nationality, passport number and date of birth at the time of booking — at time of booking or as early as possible. If these are not provided then your host is unable to book the permits once bookings are open with Peru’s Ministry of Culture and the dedicated time and circuit will be sold out quickly. Once issued, permits are non-refundable and non-transferable. You’ll need to travel with the same passport you booked with. If your passport changes after booking, just let your local host know and bring the original one with you for entry.
Why don't you trek the classic Inca Trail?
The Inca Trail has all the fame, but in our humble opinion, this is a better, less crowded trek. It passes through more dramatic landscapes, past Inca ruins, and still ends at Machu Picchu. It is widely regarded as the best alternative trek, and though that does mean you won’t have the trail to yourself, our local guides will keep you away from the crowds and camping away from other groups. You'll also evade the permit requirement and strict regulations that are enforced on the Inca Trail.
Are pack horses used to carry equipment?
Yes, horses are used by the local team to assist with the logistics of transporting food and camping equipment. They are cared for on the trail by trained handlers within the porterage team. All our horsemen and horses are registered with the Salkantay Association who monitor their wellbeing, and they take steps to ensure the welfare of horses by applying a maximum weight of 30kg per horse on a maximum of two trekking expeditions per month. Please be aware that you may encounter other local trekking companies whilst on the trail who sadly do not take the same stringent approach to animal welfare.
Where is the Tambopata Ecolodge?
Tambopata Ecolodge sits deep in the forest within the Tambopata National Reserve, a protected area covering a thousand square miles in southeastern Peru. It’s 68km from the nearest town, Puerto Maldonado, reached by a mix of land and river travel, and close to natural oxbow lake ecosystems. Because the lodge is inside the reserve, local regulations may occasionally change; and when that happens, some activities might be adjusted or relocated slightly, in order to support conservation and protect the surrounding habitat.
What should my travel insurance policy cover?
Owing to the nature of this trip, it is essential that your personal travel insurance policy provides cover to the maximum altitude visited on this trip (4630m).
Can I book on my own?
Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Who is running the trip?
Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.
What is the official travel advice?
Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).
For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.
What vaccinations do I need?
We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.
How are the trips priced?
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
Why are your adventures only for adults?
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.
Who else will be on my trip?
You're always in good company on one of our adventures.
Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.
Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way. Check out our Community Values – a shared code to make sure that everyone's experience is safe, inclusive and brilliantly unforgettable.
It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.
Don't just take our word for it:
- 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
- 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
- 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends
See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.
What's the weather like?
The only one thing you can say about the weather in Peru is that it is difficult to accurately predict. You can have beautifully clear hot days in the middle of the wet season and hail storms in the dry season – it’s one of the beauties of Peru. Be prepared for a true mountain-to-jungle adventure. In the Andes, temperatures can swing by as much as 15ºC between day and night, especially at higher elevations. A couple of overnights on the trek, it’s not uncommon for temperatures to dip as low as 0-5ºC — so warm layers are essential for comfort after dark.
In the Andes, there are two main seasons – wet and dry. The wet season runs from November to April and although it is wet, it's usually warmer overall. The dry season runs from May to October and has hot, clear days but cold nights. May and June are two of the most popular months to trek in the Andes as the weather tends to be more stable. If you're spending time in Lima before or after the trip then be aware that the season is the reverse of this so you can expect some grey skies.
What's the carbon footprint for this trip?
We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 136kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
- Driving 1000 miles/1609km would be approximately 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person, if there were two of you in it).
- A return economy class flight between London and New York would be approximately 1619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
- 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approximately 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
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Departure dates
Thursday 16th July 2026
to Sunday 26th July 2026
Last minute - Host approval required
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